Frustration (II)

Artorius's actions were highly controversial in the eyes of the public. Different perspectives emerged when it came to evaluating his deeds.

As for the debates and arguments, Artorius himself could remain indifferent. However, the same cannot be said for Artoria.

As a king who bore 'Protection' engraved in her very essence, she was highly displeased with her son's behavior. She believed that launching attacks on other nations and crushing tribes and nations for the sake of his own ambitions, bringing nations under his dominion, and even rebelling against the Roman Emperor as his ruler—all of it was an act of evil.

Yet, as someone who carried the title of 'King of Knights', she did not attribute the blame solely to Artorius. Instead, she blamed herself.

She was a person who treated others with generosity but was strict with herself. Her integrity and righteousness were no jokes. They were not merely empty words.

If only she could find a better way.

If only she could find the Holy Grail sooner.

If only she had paid more attention to Artorius's education...

In short, she considered all the killings and chaos her son did as her own fault, feeling intense pain and regret.

Another thing that caused her immense pain and would surely lead to future regrets was the fact that she couldn't stop Artorius in the present.

She had no reason or standing to intervene in this continent's war. Moreover, Britain needed the Germanic war zone at the moment.

In this era, with temperatures steadily dropping, known in history as the 'Little Ice Age', the entire Europe—or rather, the entire Eurasian continent—was shrouded in hunger and severe cold.

The dying Mystery of the Age of Gods was unable to resist the chilling influence emanating from the will of the planet. The human civilization that had developed on the foundation of Mystery was utterly powerless against this natural disaster.

Naturally, it became an era of survival of the fittest, where the 'New Humans' who were more adapted to the times devoured the 'Ancient Humans' without hesitation. Relying on their flesh and blood, they endured the most difficult era and eventually established a dark and ignorant medieval world upon the ruins of Rome.

Political systems, ideologies, technology, medicine—everything regressed significantly. It was nothing short of a living garbage heap.

This chaotic and disastrous order persisted for centuries. It was an unbearable stretch of time.

But this time, Artorius's appearance brought some relief to the dire situation.

Food.

Artorius possessed the most valuable asset in this era of famine. With agricultural techniques advanced by 1500 years and an iron-fisted rule, he ensured one of the basic necessities of life for the people under his governance, even in the Little Ice Age.

He held the largest food reserves in all of Europe. It was a strategic weapon even more formidable than his five legions and tens of thousands of elite soldiers.

To prevent her own army, officials, family, and even herself from starving, Artoria had to rely on her son.

She had to cooperate with him. Regardless of his instigations and enticements, she had to integrate her own people and the foundation of her country's military might, the excellent knights, into his forces.

At first, it was only the disheartened and disillusioned individuals who joined him. However, with Artorius's remarkable success, more knights gathered under his banner.

The Germanic war zone and the various nations of Britain became bound together.

Therefore, even if Artoria mustered her courage, she could not act against her beloved child. That would be tantamount to suicide.

"So, my son has landed in Britain."

Artoria, of course, knew about Artorius's landing in Londinium.

"But he hasn't come to see me."

This disappointed Artoria greatly.

"He must be disappointed in me. Such a useless 'father'."

Although in reality, she was a mother... well, it wasn't so certain.

"But..."

In the lonely night, Artoria gazed through the window into the distant starry sky, contemplating the ancient Britain of the Age of Gods.

At that moment, she was not the King of Knights revered by the Knights of the Round Table. She was not the ruler of Britain. She was merely a mother yearning for her child.

"Artorius..."

===

The next morning.

"I had a good dream."

Artorius murmured as he opened his eyes and then turned to look at Mordred, who was sound asleep, hugging him tightly.

"She's really adorable."

So innocent and pure, his own sister. In the past, Artorius would have taken his time to admire her for a while and then wake her up.

But not today.

It's not because of the intimate time he spent with Morgan last night but for other reasons.

It was the dream. A beautiful, pure, and romantic dream, like a lily flower in full bloom. Because it was too pure and sweet.

'Is it because of Britain? Or because of Father?'

Perhaps due to historical inertia, even though he had known for a long time that his 'Father' was his 'Mother', Artorius sometime still referred to her as such even when there was no one around.

'It's only temporary, I can't be by your side yet...'

Should he call it shyness toward his homeland, or was it due to other reasons?

In any case, Artorius, who knew his mother's personality well, didn't want to meet her at this moment. They were walking different paths. Meeting her before his own career reached its peak would only make things worse.

So...

'Just endure a little longer...' Artorius thought, 'Soon, I'll be able to save you.'

Thinking this, he felt a sense of joy. The pure love he felt upon waking up had also dissipated.

His feelings towards Mordred had also undergone a slight change. Over the course of more than two years spent together, his heart had gradually softened. The dream became a catalyst, leading him to truly embrace her as his sister and family, rather than just viewing her as a pawn or tool.

Hmm, she truly was his sister, so adorable.

With that in mind, Artorius reached out and pulled his sister closer and woke her up as they soon began their 'morning training'. {T/N: Segs?}

A dragon never bows its head!

===

Author's Note:

Artorius finally had some change of heart for his sister. Artorius, who treated his younger sister as a multi-functional tool, was a total jerk.